Josh Mcdowell was extremely skeptical about the claims of Christianity. In fact he thought Christians were lunatics. So he decided to do some incredibly detailed research of his own. After all his research he was amazed to discover that Christians weren’t the ones in the wrong. It was him.
After releasing all his research and publicly converting to Christianity. A student at the university of Uruguay asked professor McDowell, “why couldn't you find some way to refute Christianity?"
He answered, "For a very simple reason. I was unable to explain away the fact that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a real event in history."
All of Christianity is hinged on the answer to this question “Did Jesus really rise from the dead?” The truth is if Jesus didn’t rise from the grave, we have all wasted our time. If Jesus didn’t rise from the grave everything we teach here is pointless. If Jesus didn’t rise from the grave, the church is nothing more than a place to meet other delusional people. Even Paul says it in 1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins. If Jesus didn’t resurrect, Christianity is a joke.
But if He did. If He really rose up from the dead. Everything changes. Sin and death are conquered. We are given hope for a better future beyond this life. Your greatest mistake no longer has power over you if Jesus rose from the grave. If that claim is true, Christianity separates itself from every other religion. Proving that when Jesus said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He wasn’t kidding.
So we need evidence for the resurrection. And this weekend we went over three types of evidence that are super important. The first evidence of the resurrection is,
The Empty Tomb
History tells us that Jesus was laid to rest in a tomb belonging to a prominent member of the Jewish council named Joseph of Arimathea. The tomb was then sealed with a Roman seal and elite guards were placed around the entrance to the tomb. There was only one way in and one way out of the tomb.
Yet we have NT accounts of Jesus’ followers discovering the empty tomb. In fact we see stories of women coming to anoint his body and instead finding that He is gone.
If you know the story very well you know that early Sunday morning women came to the tomb of Jesus to anoint his body. On their way to the tomb there was an earthquake. When they reached the tomb, the soldiers had all run away. Why did the soldiers run away? The Bible tells us that there were angels who appeared at the tomb and the angels told the women that Jesus has risen again from the dead. In fact, they said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen just as he said.”
The tomb was empty. His body was gone. Now there are a lot of debates about how the tomb became empty. But ultimately whatever view people have, practically everyone agrees that the tomb was empty. If the tomb wasn’t empty or if they found his body, they would have a hard time proving a resurrection. But that didn’t happen.
The second evidence is eyewitness testimony.
The bible counts over 500 people as eye witnesses to Jesus resurrection. People who saw Him or talked to Him or listened to Him, after His death. 500 people saying the same thing. That Jesus came back to life. Many scholars say this is one of the most compelling, well evidenced facts in history. So many people saw Him and so many people were willing to attest to the fact that Jesus was alive.
The third evidence is The starting of the church.
If you read the gospels, after Jesus’ death. The disciples were terrified. They were traumatized and heartbroken. They were hiding and going back to their old lives. They were defeated. Until, all of the sudden this devastated, dejected group of people turns into motivated, bold, leaders who face death for their beliefs and don’t back down.
What caused such a big turnaround? Did they hear a really good pep talk and get back on their feet? No, I believe they saw Jesus risen back to life and they knew if He could do that, then everything He said was worth believing in.
TELEPHONE
1. In your own words, explain why is it so important to believe that Jesus actually rose from the dead?
2. What would happen if we found out it wasn’t true?
3. Of all the evidence we talked about for the resurrection, what was the most compelling to you? Why?
4. Why is the empty tomb significant evidence for Jesus’ resurrection?
5. Read 1 Corinthians 15:5-7. What does this tell us about Jesus resurrection?
1 Corinthians 15:5-7 5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.
1 Corinthians 15:5-7
5 He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. 6 After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. 7 Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles.
6. What did the disciples do when they learned Jesus was alive?
7. If Jesus really did rise from the grave, what should we do about it?
MOVING FORWARD
Everything we believe hinges on Christ’s death and resurrection. And there is so much evidence for it. After looking at all of the evidence if you can confidently say you believe the resurrection was real. The question now is what will you do about it? Next week at small groups we are going to discuss what we need to do with that good news. So, make sure you are here for it.
©2026 Sagebrush Church
